WASHINGTON, D.C. -Continuing her efforts to force Congress to pass a responsible budget plan, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) announced today that she is cosponsoring the "No Budget, No Pay Act," legislation that would dock pay for Members of Congress for failure to pass a budget resolution and regular appropriations bills before the start of the federal fiscal year.  The "No Budget, No Pay Act," introduced by Senator Dean Heller (R-NV), would prohibit U.S. Treasury funds from paying the salaries of Members of Congress during any period of time after October 1 of any year that the budget and appropriations processes are not completed.  The bill also bars retroactive pay for any period of time determined to be in violation of the bill.   

"For the third straight year, Congress has failed to pass a budget resolution by the April 15 deadline - the date by which Congress is required by law to do so.  And for the past 1,083 days, the Democrat-led Senate has failed to pass a budget resolution.  Since that time, Washington has added $4.4 trillion to the debt," said Senator Ayotte, a member of the Senate Budget Committee.  "It's time to hold Congress accountable, and this commonsense legislation forces Members of Congress to make a simple choice - do our jobs and pass a budget, or don't get paid."

Congress is required by the 1974 Congressional Budget Act to complete action on a budget resolution by April 15, but there is no penalty for inaction.  In October, Senator Ayotte introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) that would require Congress to pass a budget resolution by April 15 or suspend other business.

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